David Benavidez has no shortage of HUGE fights on his radar. In an exclusive interview with BoxingScene, Jose Benavidez Sr. makes it clear that David still wants the biggest names at 175lbs including Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev. Benavidez has previously said those are two fights he wants to make as he pursues more titles and major challenges. But there’s another name that could make things very interesting: Andy Ruiz Jr. Jose discusses the possibility of an all-Mexican showdown between Benavidez and the former heavyweight champion, along with David’s plans across multiple divisions. And with a potential Jai Opetaia showdown also building after the pair came face-to-face following Opetaia’s latest victory, Benavidez has some massive options ahead.
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Mauricio Sulaiman today (July 4) announced that Ryan Garcia has been expelled from any WBC activity.
Only yesterday, in a media conference call, the sanctioning body president voiced his support to a fighter who failed two VADA tests that resulted in his April 20 points victory over Devin Haney being changed to a no contest.
“Speaking only personally, and not from the point of view of the WBC, I am very concerned about what I am seeing [in regard to Ryan Garcia],” Sulaiman said on July 3. “I pray to God he gets immediate help. As a fighter, we [the WBC] will soon address it publicly, but as a human being we urge those around him to ensure he gets help.”
Garcia, 25, has exhibited erratic behaviour for several months. Rambling addresses on social media and the contents of a beer bottle being swigged just before he came in more than three pounds over the 140-pound limit resulted in most observers presuming he would lose to Haney. Yet he dropped the favourite three times and scored what proved to be a momentary victory.
On May 1 VADA notified all relevant parties that Garcia had tested positive for Ostarine the day before and the day of his unexpected points win over Haney, the WBC junior welterweight champion.
On June 20, Garcia was fined $1.1m by the New York Athletic Commission, he was suspended for a year and his victory quashed. He’s been prolific on social media since those rulings, blaming all but himself for his fate.
“Exercising my authority as president of the WBC, I am hereby expelling Ryan Garcia from any activity with our organization,” Sulaiman stated on social media today. “We reject any form of discrimination. I fear for Ryan’s well being as he has declined multiple attempts for our help with mental health and substance abuse.”
